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Truck wouldn't start, took battery to AutoZone, they said it was fine, t just need a charge. I reinstalled it, and it started, just the once though. So, I walked back in, the tech sighed, and handed me a new battery. Once under the hood of Tarzan (the monacher that my fiance has bestowed upon my lift-leveled 99 x-cab 4x4; her Focus is named "Jane"...).
Slightly off topic, but I was running Torque Pro (the $5 version) on my Galaxy S7. I just upgraded to an iPhone 11 (this is my first iPhone, please forgive my iOS ignorance), for the life of me I can't find how I recover purchased apps(i.e. Torque Pro). When I search in the Apple App store, I don't find anything named "Torque Pro". Any suggestions on how I might find Torque Pro and get it working on my iPhone? Is there another OBD-II scanning software that is comparable, preferably superior to Torque that y'all would recommend? Thank you for your time and any assistance that you may be able to provide.
I paid the 6 bux and got the full version. It's useful for me since I've got the ranger and my wife's got a mazda. I use the android version, but the apple app seems to be the same.
Got the oil pan and rear main seal changed on Project Ranger Rick. Also resealed the shift rail plugs and went through the various engine/cab grounds. The head/cab ground needs to be replaced (it disintegrated when I touched it). The others are all in good shape. Removed, cleaned and tightened down.
Got new wheels. Found some xD Rockstar 20in wheels wrapped in 265/50/20 Nitto Terra Grappler 2. The wheels were essentially brand new, tires were at 95%tread life. The wheels and a set of splined lug nuts for $800! (Just the wheel retails for $310 a piece). Going to clean them up and put a cpl coats of dupliColor tire paint and then on the truck they go.
Mounted the new XD RockStars with Nitto Grappler. The Nittos got a cpl coats of dupliColor tire paint before I mounted them
. I love this stuff! Makes it look like your tires were waxed a cpl days ago while blocking out UV rays
Got my ranger back after a week in the shop. New rear brakes, brake lines flushed, new master cylinder, new hydraulic control unit, new sway bar links, new rear shocks, new rear diff seal and new e-brake cable.
At 250K miles, I changed the oil with Mobil 1 5W-20, and replaced the oil filter with Napa Platinum (made by WIX). Checked all other fluids and air filter while at it. and back on the road again for another few thousand miles.
Chasing down a rear-whine. Found a wheel stud that's too big installed that is jammed into one of the drums and bulged the drum out. I pulled the drums ran the truck through gears, can't find the whine. Inspected and pryed on all the u-joints, pulled the diff cover and inspected the gears and pinion shaft for play. Everything looks fine. There is some end play in both axles at the hubs, but I think that's normal. Pulled the axles and inspected and they look good, the bearings that are in there look good.
I don't know what to do next other than fix the wheel stud, put it all back together and see if it's fixed. I saved that for tomorrow :)
If that doesn't fix me up, I guess I am going after the wheel bearings, but I don't want to waste a lot of time and money putting bearings and new brakes on if the diff is hosed, because then I would probably be better to get a whole axle from the wrecker.
It's pretty easy to pull the axles on these. I just got done doing rear axles on a Toyota, and man, that was involved when you get to putting bearings in.
Gave my Ranger a bath (which my wife named Tarzan, as her Focus is named Jane). I’m loving my new 20” XD Rockstars and Nitto Terra Grappler 2s. The ride is surprisingly smooth. I already have a buyer lined up for the stock 16s. What do y’all think of Tarzan? I’ve considered adding a 3in body lift and a winch, but other than that I’m pretty happy with how he sits. But you all know how customizing a vehicle goes-it’s never “done”. Haha.
The saga continues with the rear mystery on my 7.5 4.10 LSD hum/whine.
Having checked visually everything I could get to with no issues noted, other than a bad drum and needing new drum brakes, I put the axles back together and filled up the diff. I replaced the stud that was improperly sized with a correct stud and used and old lug to flatten out the drum surface where it meets the axle with the new stud. I put it all back together and noticed that the driver side axle is pretty tight with about less than 1/8" end play. The passenger axle has at least 1/4" in out but no up down play. Took it out for a test ride and it's still the same hum, tested in all gears individually and it's most prominent between 1800 - 2500 RPM regardless of gear and only on acceleration. Decel is quiet.
At this point I have concluded that the pinion bearing is likely bad and that the LSD clutch paks are significantly worn and/or the spider gears are worn. I don't think it is unsafe yet, but the rear needs rebuilt or replaced. I think I could probably tackle most of this job but the truck is frankly not worth it. I plan to get a quote from a gear rebuilder and a quote for a junk rear and see which is more reasonable. I have been off/on about selling this truck but now I can't sell it with this problem in good conscious and I don't think I will get any kind of price on it if I tell the buyer it needs a new rear :)
So that's the plan and I will put new drums, pads, cylinders and all the little hardware on whatever rear fix I end up with. I can hear the drum banging against the pads when I shake the truck. It's not cool at all.
Will post back on this one. I would start a thread but it's been discussed a million times on the whine and also the end-play on these rears so it's a dead horse and I know what's wrong.
@Tarzan DRWo392 that looks really good with the wheels. I didn't like the wheels until I saw them on the truck. Really nice looking rig and I would leave it alone where it is unless you have some compelling reason for more lift, etc.
Well that was quick. Today I parked my Ranger for the next five weeks. I called around and can locate a junker 410L75 with 139k for $350 or local gear shop will do all the bearings and clutch paks rebuild for $500 and I just drop off the truck. It will be a little extra if the spider gears are out of spec. Their next appointment is October 26. So we wait :). I think that's damn reasonable for a rebuild and I have used this shop before they know their stuff. Plus I don't have to pull axle and replace it.
Did some small stuff today. Put a new flare on the rear brake line that goes from the frame to the big center hose and replaced the fuel filter. Pics in the project thread.
Hi Guys, I recently purchased seat covers from Ranger Forum Member, Flatlandertoo. An excellent deal. The driver's side of my bench seat was shot. I pulled out the seats out and found the springs and support was busted too. I got some really helpful info from Ranger Forum Member 2011Supercab. I purchase new seat springs and got started fixing the foam. (I learned that "hog rings" are similar to a black box on an airplane.) Indestructible an nearly impossible to remove, even harder to reuse. I fought to get the covers on. After much sweat and dirty words, I gave up and took it to the upholsterer. Five Star Upholstery (Sacramento) put on the covers and re-fixed the fix job I did on the foam. They were ready for pickup the next day. Look how awesome it all turned out. I'm a happy Ford Ranger owner!
Blown out driver's side bench seat Purchased seat covers from Ranger Forum member "Flatlandertoo" Sweet. Bummer seat supports and springs were broken. Ranger Forum member "2011Supercab" gave the hook up to purchase new supports. This is 3 hours of my attempt to put on covers. F@$%! No joke! Cleaned her up all under. Took the seats and covers to Five Star Upholstery in Sacramento. Excellent work. The seats were ready the next day. I replaced the headliner last month. New seats look amazing. What a nice little Ranger. Cheers from me & my Hulk hand. Thanks guys!
Last edited by MissLisa; 09-15-2020 at 11:14 AM.
Reason: I posted photos but don't see them
Hi Guys, I recently purchased seat covers from Ranger Forum Member, Flatlandertoo. An excellent deal. The driver's side of my bench seat was shot. I pulled out the seats out and found the springs and support was busted too. I got some really helpful info from Ranger Forum Member 2011Supercab. I purchase new seat springs and got started fixing the foam. (I learned that "hog rings" are similar to a black box on an airplane.) Indestructible an nearly impossible to remove, even harder to reuse. I fought to get the covers on. After much sweat and dirty words, I gave up and took it to the upholsterer. Five Star Upholstery (Sacramento) put on the covers and re-fixed the fix job I did on the foam. They were ready for pickup the next day. Look how awesome it all turned out. I'm a happy Ford Ranger owner!
Hi MissLisa, that sounds like a win, win! But no pictures came thru, did you forget to add them?
Spent some "yard time" today at the local U-Pull. Got a "long console" from a 2001 explorer. It had the blower fan in the bottom and the radio controls in the back. I left those behind. I'll have to figure out what to put in that space. Perhaps some switches for lighting or something. I also got an overhead console from a 2000 explorer (wiring harness and ambient temp sensor as well). All together, I spent $35 today (including my $2 admission to the yard and the taxes/environmental fees).
I was going to grab the seats from the 2000, but I wasn't wearing my boots and it was literally in a mud puddle. I'll come back on another day and see if they are still there. Not as important to me right this second and while they were clean enough and seemed in good shape, I wasn't in a "I have to have THESE seats" mode there.
These are going "in stock" for when project ranger rick is actually driving. Once I get him on the road and inspected, I'll do the interior mods. In the mean time, I've got them on a fold out table in my basement ready for cleaning.
I haven’t done it yet, but I’m thinking of getting this brush guard, what do y’all think of it? It would be going on my 99xcab 4x4 which has been leveled via torsion keys and sitting on 20” xD Rockstars (which added a little over an inch of altitude)
Replaced the front shocks, cleaned up the front brakes and reinstalled the transmission and transfer case today. I’ll update the project log with photos later.
09-01-2020
97 Ranger Seat Re-cover
